A Campaign for Congregational Vitalityand New Church Development

Campaign Leadership

Rev. Michael C. Murphy, Campaign ChairSenior Minister, Peoples Congregational UCCWashington, D.C.

Mr. Pierson Kemp, Chair of Leadership Gifts

Campaign Teams in various regions of the Conference to visit with congregations and invite participation

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the Conference in all its elements is to support, challenge and strengthen local churches, bringing them together in community and mission and in relation to the larger church and society

Looking to the Future

Our diverse heritages are becoming the United Church of Christ, which

Listens for the Still Speaking God.Proclaims extravagant welcome.Seeks diversity and inclusiveness.

These Are New Times

Churches are seeking renewal & vitality. Attendance is strong at workshops on renewal. Church in the age of Twitter Seven Secrets of Vital Congregations Interest in exploring new church planting has grown. Need for focused efforts in both congregational vitality and in new church planting

Three Key Strategies

1. Seek interim staff for positions of retiring ACMs and review and modify shape of position descriptions.

2. Establish partnership with the Center for Progressive Renewal to coach renewing congregations and assist new church planting.

3. Establish new programming and staff in church vitality and new church development.

Two Exciting Opportunities

To support programs forcongregational renewal and vitality;

To plant new congregations in new and changing communities as well as in established ones.

Aim of the New Program

to work with existing and new congregations to reach out in creative ways, using the God Is Still Speaking initiative to tell the UCC story andinvite seekers into dialogue withthe Christian faith.

Promote Vitality

Webinars and Workshops such as the Seven Secrets

Arrange coaches for renewing churches

Develop vitality programming in the Conference

Focus staff time on renewal programs

Some Renewing Congregations

Hope UCC Alexandria, VA

Stanley Congregational UCC Chattham, NJ

Grace UCC Frederick, MD

Other congregations are considering next steps

Promote New Church Starts

Actively seek prospective new church planters

Support discernment and training

Recruit persons with skills for launch teams

Secure coaches for church planters

Assist coordination with Associations

Current New Church Starts

Grace UCC Flemington, NJAsbury Park Community UCC NJSix Eight UCC Baltimore MDNew Covenant UCC Owings Mill, MDVeritas UCC - Hagerstown, MDCommunity Church of Washington D.C. - (UCC) Safe Harbor UCC Sussex County, DECommunity Church of All People (UCC) - Reston, VA

Critical Campaign Aims

To support programming topromote congregational vitality and renewal

B. To actively start new churches by attracting capable new church planters and linking them to Associations and the Conference.

A Third Critical Aim

To increase support for Our Churchs Wider Mission so that new staff in vitality and new church development can be sustained beyond 2014.

The guideline for churches is to create a multi-year plan to increase OCWM a specific amount until it equals 10% of the operating budget, i.e. total budget minus benevolences.

Campaign Goals

Raise $300,000 in pledges by June of 2013, to be paid between 2012 and 2013 to support church vitality and new church development.

To increase Basic Support to Our Churchs Wider Mission to a level that is $125,000 above the current level by the end of 2014.

What WillNew Visions Support?

Funding for a new, part-time Conference position focused in new church development and vitality programming with congregations.

Funds to assist in providing trained coaches for pastors of new church starts.

What WillNew Visions Support?

Assistance to congregations in wanting to start vitality programs.

Leads and contacts for resources and materials

Development of mutual support and information sharing via social networks and other media.

Campaign Plan

Seek gifts from individuals, including leadership gifts from $1,000 to $10,000.

Invite congregations to adopt a goal for support of the campaign.

Seek grants from grant makers.

Generous Gift Challenge

A challenge grant of $50,000 has been offered to the campaign. If fully subscribed by December 31, 2012, new gifts and pledges will produce $100,000 of support for the campaign.

An Invitation

Please consider making a generous a good faith commitment to the New Visions Campaign.

Commitments may be paid during 2012, 2013 and early 2014

The Time Is Now

to join together, creatingNew Visions" of the God Is Still Speaking spirit through congregational vitality and new church developmentin the Central AtlanticConference.

A Campaign for Congregational Vitalityand New Church Development